Acupuncture During Pregnancy

Photo by Paul: Anya says hello to Seth

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a wonderful tool to use during pregnancy. It's drug-free, and relaxing for both the baby and the mother. It can be used throughout the entire pregnancy, and even after delivery. Although there are a few acupuncture points that are contraindicated in pregnancy, there are many safe and very effective points that practitioners can use to help the mother feel her best during this special time.

During the first trimester (1-12 weeks) of pregnancy, a woman might feel fatigue and nausea, both of which may slowly disappear by the second trimester (13-28 weeks). There may be some herbal formulas to take, but these may be limited due to the fact that many herbs can't be used during pregnancy, and the taste may be difficult for a pregnant woman to swallow. Weekly acupuncture treatments are the best remedy during this time of the pregnancy to combat the nausea and help her gain some energy.

The second trimester is the time where the woman may start to feel slightly better in regards to the nausea, and also when she will begin to look pregnant and feel the baby move. That being said, heartburn, constipation, and even hemorrhoids may occur during this time. This is due to hormonal changes that affect the smooth muscle in the body as well as the veins. Acupuncture points can also be used effectively at this time to provide relief for the mother.

In the third trimester, acupuncture can help relieve edema, or water retention, around the ankles and feet as well as back pain and insomnia.  If the baby is in a breech position, moxibustion can be used to turn the baby around. It usually takes around ten days of using the moxibustion stick daily, but it can be very effective when using it properly. Acupuncture can also be used closer to the delivery date to help with effacement and to shorten the labor time. There are also some practitioners who will help induce labor in a baby that is past the due date, depending on the situation. There are some hospitals and midwives who also allow acupuncturists to be present during a delivery if requested by the mother.

Every pregnancy is different, and it's important to keep an open mind with the treatments. This site has some good suggestions about Western herbs to avoid during pregnancy, as well as some other helpful hints. Mother's Special Blend is an oil that several women swear by to help with stretch marks (you can also find this at New Seasons in Portland). Pregnancy is a special time in a woman's life, and I believe that acupuncture can effectively help her to have the best 40 weeks possible.

Antibiotics and Chinese Medicine

Photo by sadalit

This time of year always seems to be prime for sinus and lung infections creeping up and knocking us off our feet. The cold weather has settled in, the excitement of the snow has passed, and the holiday season has come to a close. After traveling around more than usual and consuming rich holiday foods, our immune systems are feeling a bit low as well. This can lead to a serious problem if we aren't careful.

While antibiotics definitely have their place in getting rid of certain infections, Chinese Medicine can also be used to treat them without the side effects some antibiotics tend to have. Brian Carter wrote at www.ambafrance-do.org, "Chinese Herbal Medicine can address the full spectrum of complaints and causes; we (acupuncturists) often treat the conditions which are not responding to conventional treatments like antibiotics."

Unfortunately, sometimes the wrong antibiotics are given, or there is an allergic reaction to them. By using Chinese Herbs and acupuncture, the use of antibiotics may be avoided altogether in some cases. However, preventative action is needed in order to stave off the respiratory infection in the first place.

Several herbal formula companies produce effective formulas for sinus and lung congestion, and due to the different stages of infections, it's a good idea to talk to your practitioner about which herbs are right for you before taking them. In the mean time, be sure to stay warm, drink plenty of water, and even use a nasal irrigation technique if necessary or recommended by your practitioner.

Metis Clinics acupuncturist in the news

Lotus Flower

Photo by: Bahman Farzad

Anita Tadavarthy, MAcOm of Metis Clinics in Tigard, was featured in the Tigard Times this week. Check out the Times site to see what they had to say about her journey from Wall Street to becoming an acupuncturist in Tigard. She also wrote an article for the Tigard Express about acupuncture and back pain.

Portland Acupuncture Blog also had an interview with Anita- you can read it here!

More on Veterinary Acupuncture

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pYKSGXfvk4[/youtube] The Willamette Week printed an editorial article last week about acupuncture treatment for a cat. The author took his asthmatic cat in for a treatment, and the cat seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. The vet told him that it wouldn't completely cure the cat's asthma, but it should help with some of the symptoms.

For a list of vets in the Portland area that incorporate acupuncture and/or herbal medicine in their clinics, check out this previous post. Another reader of the blog also let me know that there is yet another good clinic- the Murray Hill Veterinary Hospital will treat animals with acupuncture as well as with Western treatment.

I'm sure there are more veterinarians who offer acupuncture around Portland-it's such a great alternative to pharmaceuticals.

Interview with a practitioner: Dr. Igor Schwartzman

1. What brought you to Portland?

The primary reason for our move to Portland was for me to pursue my medical studies  at the National College of Natural Medicine.  I clearly remember the first time we visited Portland in March, the temperatures were in the 50’s, there was a slight drizzle, and everything was green.  My wife and I immediately fell in love with the city.

2. Why did you decide to become a naturopathic doctor?

My major influence in life that led me to become a physician was my grandmother.  The image that I have of my grandmother is a person with a tremendous amount of generosity, human compassion, and selfless service to those in need. This is the model that I strive toward on a regular basis.

Although my grandmother was a conventionally-trained medical doctor, natural medicine was considered to be the traditional medicine and that was what she practiced in our native country of Moldova.

3. Where does your passion for the medicine come from?

I distinctly remember hot-foot baths with mustard seeds, brief-sessions of herbal-infusions, paraffin-baths, hydrotherapy, and many other therapies that were part of a normal routine and medical treatment during my childhood years.  These modalities were the standard for treating colds, flus, chronic pain, and more.  As early as 12 years of age, one of my life-long dreams was to have a clinic that served many people on a daily basis that incorporated many of these modalities. This was a very positive experience in my life and I felt that I wanted to share that with others.

4. Tell me about your practice

My wife, Kendra Ward, is an acupuncturist, and we share the clinic together.  We are a family treating other families.  Our goal is to create a healthier world, one family at a time.

I work with people of all ages and stages of health and disease.  When working with people, my role is to be their coach, their mentor, their teacher, their support, and their doctor.  I have a strong interest in digestive/gastrointestinal health, autoimmune disorders, hormones, and women’s health.  I mostly see people who have chronic conditions, and generally those people have seen numerous other doctors and healthcare providers, and they are still unwell.

5. Any advice for patients, Dr. Schwartzman?

Yes, health is a journey, it is a process, and there are no quick or instant-fixes.  People who come in once or twice and say it did not work for them, are generally not ready to begin their journey towards improved health. Anyone with serious intentions about getting better is aware of the fact that it requires time, commitment, and willingness to participate.  Those people who are motivated and willing to do the work generally benefit the most out of our treatments together.

6. What is your favorite Portland restaurant and why?

My favorite place is Andina Restaurant in NW Portland.  It offers a wonderful selection of Peruvian cuisine.  The flavors are masterfully crafted together and the aromas create a sensation that I have traveled to Peru.  The owner sometimes pays a surprise visit to the table and graciously welcomes you.  I also love the fact that there is an additional menu that has a list of gluten-free choices, which makes this restaurant accessible to a larger audience.  I highly recommend paying them a visit.

Please contact Dr. Igor Schwartzman at:

Whole Family Wellness Center 2920 SW Dolph Court, Suite 2 Portland, Oregon 97219

phone:        503.244.0500 web:           www.wholefamilywellnesscenter.com email:         info@wfwcenter.com

Fertility Blogs

Julianne at 30 weeks

In researching good online site for posting, I wanted to share a few educational blogs that focus on fertility. The blog from the Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness in New York City. Dr. Berkley just wrote a great post on the difference between Western treatment and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment of infertility. He talks about how the Western methods (drugs, surgeries, in-vitro fertilization, and intra-uterine fertilization) are necessary to promote a more fertile environment for some cases, but also includes how TCM can often regulate the system that may be the cause of infertility naturally.

Natural Fertility Info is another great site that discusses acupuncture and other forms of natural ways to to conceive. They have links to videos on using castor oil packs, dietary and herbal recommendations, and other great information (they even have a fertility smoothie recipe!). I also  They have a lot of good tips on promoting male fertility.

The Fertility Acupuncturist has a more TCM-based approach to fertility, and has several posts about omega 3 fatty acids and fertility, as well as information about charting fertility and using the basal body temperature to track cycles.

Acupuncture for Fertility

basal body temperature by by mitoztip

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) states that there are 6.1 million women who may have an impaired ability to bear children. However, we are fortunate enough to have Traditional Chinese medicine to ease the stress and help restore balance within the body to help with conception.

The use of acupuncture for infertility is recommended for the relaxing and calming effects on the mind, but it also increases the flow of energy and blood to the woman's uterus. This has been known to enhance conception when using in vitro fertilization (IVF) (see previous post on IVF treatments). Acupuncture is also extremely beneficial for women who aren't using IVF.

Taking the basal body temperature is another helpful method that can help women become more attuned to their bodies and understand what is going on. The temperature is taken first thing in the morning and recorded daily. Check here for an online resource. Experienced acupuncturists may be able find diagnose a woman's by using her basal body temperature charts and taking her pulse. Certain temperature differences in the chart can help to prescribe a more specific herbal formula or chose different points each month.

A book that was recommended to me is The Infertility Cure. It's a great resource to educate yourself about the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine and how it can help enhance fertility.

Herbs for the Holidays

Photo by controltheweb

The season for eating and drinking is upon us once again. Foods we consume just once a year are now in abundance for our eating pleasure, and traveling to relatives houses and being off and a regular eating routine can wreak havoc on our bodies if we aren't careful.

Po Chai Pills and Bao He Wan are Chinese herbal formulas (in pill form- easier for travel!) to help with digestion or the "overindulgence" of food and even alcohol. Po Chai pills come in a small vial that you take as one dose. I've found Po Chai pills at Wing Mings and online, but Bu Nao Wan is an ancient formula that most herbal pharmacies carry just about everywhere.

The reason both of these formulas work so well is because when we over eat, we create stagnation in our digestive tract, thus slowing the ability of our body to move food. This creates a slower fermenting process which lead to an upset stomach, including gas and bloating. The the herbal combinations in these formulas help process the food and move the stagnation along.

While these pills can help digest a lot of the food we eat, I would also encourage at least a few short walks between a few meals. Remedies such as ginger or peppermint tea (my recent favorite is Eater's Digest Tea by Traditional Medicinals) can also help soothe an upset stomach.

Acupuncture around the world

Photo by misscaro

I recently found an interesting article on the World Acupuncture Blog comparing Japanese style acupuncture to Chinese style acupuncture. The blog mostly discusses the advantages of Japanese style acupuncture, and even has a video treating children! I love the idea of using the red balloon for a distraction when treating children, and I also feel it's important to let the kids "help" and be able to see what is going on.

And on that pediatrics note, Chinese Medicine Notes wrote a great post about learning to treat children with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)- I can't wait to hear more about this, as I feel a lot of parents are more ready that ever to treat their kids without using too many drugs.

The Acupuncture Relief Project is doing really well over in Nepal. They have posted pictures of them treating - up to 10 hours a day! They are busy, but are enjoying being able to help so many people.

Herbs for Fall: Lung Clear lozenges

Another one of my favorite formulas for fall is Golden Lotus Botanicals Lung Clear lozenges. These little lozenges really help clear up coughs and congestion using menthol combined with Chinese herbs. It contains honey and sugar, instead of artificial sweeteners, both of which are good for the Lungs (but must be taken cautiously if diabetic).

I have used these little lozenges since I heard about them three years ago, and now several of my friends and neighbors are hooked on them as well. I usually try to buy them at the OCOM herbal dispensary, but they are usually out of stock! I have also seen Lung Clear at New Seasons, but recently they have also been often out of stock or on back order.

So if you can find them, give them a try- I'm sure they won't disappoint!

More herbs for Fall: Gan Mao Ling

www.chineseherbsdirect.com

Last week I wrote a post about Yin Qiao San, the amazing cold formula that I love. This week, it;s only fair to now discuss a formula I consider on par- Gan Mao Ling ("Miraculous Cold Pills"). I've personally had the best luck with this combination and give them to my friends and family whenever they are taking a plane trip or feeling under the weather (one of my family members can't remember the name of either formula, but knows that the "black pills (Gan Mao Ling) and the white pills (Yin Qiao San with coating)" always work!).

The only brand I have experience with is the Plum Flower brand, with also comes in the same convenient travel packets (24 doses for $12.99). It hasn't let me down yet! Wing Mings carries a lot of different brands, and it's a well-known tablet in TCM patent formulas.

You can take these in conjunction with Yin Qiao San, but if you already have a cold with the symptoms of congestion, headache, fatigue, etc., then this is the one for you. It really helps to clear up basic cold symptoms. However, if your symptoms get worse, you may need something stronger or a more specifically tailored formula. And, as always, check in with your practitioner if you have any questions or concerns about taking herbal formulas, and for dosage recommendations.

Stay healthy!

Veterans Day 2008

Poster from: US Dept of Veteran Affairs

Last year, my Masters project group designed the first stage of a trial to evaluate the affect of group acupuncture on veteran's with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The community project we were most interested in is the Portland Veterans Acupuncture Project (PVAP). This non-profit, no cost clinic started up last October and has been going strong ever since.

I recently heard that they are treating more patients than ever, with numbers around 70 patients in 4 hours.  PVAP treats not only veterans with PTSD, but also their families. Check out their site and spread the word- I really hope we can get more of these clinics up and running at some point. It is a drop-in service, so there is no need to make and appointment, but if you have questions, the contact e-mail is pvap3@yahoo.com

Thank you to those who have served.

The Acupuncture Relief Project has arrived

Photo by Garret Fabian: www.acupuncturereliefproject.com

The latest news from the arrival of the acupuncturists in Nepal is online! The Acupuncture Relief Project has set up in Kathmandu and have officially started this incredible project. Go to their website to see other blog postings and subscribe to their blog. You can even donate to these wonderful OCOM grads who are making a difference in Nepal.

(From www.acupuncturereliefproject.com):

"We are adjusting well at the Gompa. The building is quite nice and even has marble flooring throughout. They builders just added a rather large reception desk that really puts a nice touch to the main room on the first floor of the clinic. We live in the second floor of the building and on the rooftop there are two spacious decks to see the surrounding view from. Next to our building is the monastery proper which is often filled with the groans of instruments. There is one smaller building adjacent to the monastery which is where classes are held and where we also eat all of our meals with the monks, or ‘mini monks’ as we affectionately refer to them as. During meals we can always look up to find many sets of eyes gazing at us.

Tomorrow we will be heading out into the community to meet with some other people to answer questions they may have and to raise awareness of our clinic. We will also spend half of the day working with the three nuns who will be our interpreters. We gave the nuns treatments so that they might have an idea as to what acupuncture is like much to the chagrin of one originally very hesitant nun. Tuesday our clinic will officially open and we’re hopeful we will see some brave patients grace our doorstep.

The commute between Kathmandu and Chapagaon is quite a wild affair. It might be 10-12 miles in total but it can take 60-90mins. travel time. There are very narrow roads that have seemingly no driving laws whatsoever. We will be coming up to Kathmandu on weekends to enjoy hot showers and restaurants and we are very excited to have food choices upon returning to the city! We’re gearing up to head back to Chapagaon now, stay tuned for more."

Herbs for Fall: Yin Qiao San

Photo from: www.mayway.com

Yin Qiao San is an old and effective formula for cold-like symptoms which I often recommend to my friends and family, many of whom are teachers or work closely with the public on a regular basis. When Airborne came out on the market, some TCM practitioners noticed it had a lot of the same herbs as Yin Qiao San, with added vitamin C and a few extra minerals (plus added sugar and coloring). I'm sure they both work well, but I'm definitely partial to Yin Qiao.

Whats in it? You can check out the list of ingredients here, but keep in mind that though it boasts a delicious-sounding list of honeysuckle, mint, and licorice root, the uncoated form doesn't taste so great. However, there are several of brands that offer a sugar-coated coated alternative if you have a hard time with the taste.

Where can I buy it? Uwajimaya, Fu Bonn, and Wing Mings (next to Fu Bonn on 82nd street) all carry it, but I've found that only Wing Mings carries it it the Plum Flower brand of convenient travel packets (24 doses for $12.99), which my family loves. They are great for travelling with as well, and have kept me from getting sick after airplane trips when combined with Gan Mao Ling.

Why would I need it? If you have a sore throat, cough, and possibly a stuff nose indicating that a cold is well on it's way to making your life miserable. This formula is amazing in chasing it out of your body by making you "sweat it out," somewhat, and it usually works pretty quickly. Follow the directions on the packet (there are a lot of different brands and companies who produce it- my personal favorite at the moment is Plum Flower), and prepare to feel better in the midst of this beautiful but cold fall in the great Northwest.

Top 5 reasons to seek an acupuncture treatment

There are endless issues that acupuncture can treat, and unfortunately, a lot of people don't know just how many acute or chronic problems acupuncture can help with. 1. Pain (includes headaches, joint pain, back, shoulder and knee pain) 2. Weight loss management (acupuncture can help with all stages with the use of body and ear acu-points. Practitioners can even use ear seeds to help curb hunger. 3. Mental/emotional health (depression, grief, anxiety, addiction, and even insomnia) 4. Menstrual cycles (PMS symptoms, cramping, early or late cycles) 5. Menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, emotional symptoms, insomnia)

.....and so much more! If anyone has any other thoughts to add onto this "Top 5 list" please leave a comment and let me know your opinions. Thanks!

Celebrate AOM Day!

Today is the 6th anniversary of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM) Day. Colleges and clinics all over the nation and the world are celebrating this special day. I'm sure there are even a few clinics and practitioners honoring this day in Portland, so if you've never tried acupuncture or tried a Chinese herbal medicine formula, today might just be the day to set up that appointment or check out a community acupuncture treatment. Or just stop by OCOM or NCNM to see what it's all about!

What Can TCM Treat? Post-surgical Acupuncture and Herbs

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6tIbpJE7CY&feature=related[/youtube] Healing after a surgery is usually not the most pleasant time for anyone. Most people expereince some amoutn of pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lack of lucidity, and other various side effects from the pain medications. While it is necessary to manage the pain in an efficient and quick manner, it is possible in a lot of cases to do it without the use of drugs. Pain drugs, such as morphine, have to be metabolized while your body is trying to put all of it's energy into healing.

Acupuncture helps to release endorphins, or the natural "pain killing" mechanism the body already has. It's very safe, and contributes to the healing of the wound created by the surgery, and body acu-points that aren't near the surgical site can be used to stop the pain. Electroacupuncture machines may also be used, as it's easier to turn the current up or down according to the patients comfort level. The use of acupuncture and even massage can speed up the process much faster than without it.

There are a lot of great Chinese herbal medicine remedies for post-surgical trauma as well. The burn salve Ching Wan Hung, which also has skin-regenerating properties.  For wounds that continue to bleed or have a lot of bruising, Yunnan Bai Yao can be used to help stop the internal bruising and external bleeding. This "secret" formula comes in many different and easy to use forms, such as plasters, powder, capsules and sprays. It is inexpensive, and can be found in most Chinese Medicine grocery stores and Asian grocery stores

It's important to remember that movement can be key with healing (depending on the surgery, of course). Getting up and walking helps move the blood around, instead of letting it stagnate which can lead to pain. While cool foods might seem like a good idea, it's also important to eat warm and nourishing foods to help you heal, such as soups, herbal teas, and meat broths to help build up strength.

For more information, here is another site that gives information on why acupuncture should be used after cosmetic surgical procedures, and Medscape had more on postoperative pain management.

Keep in mind that all of these tips can also be applied to animals undergoing surgery- their response to Chinese Herbal Medinice and acupuncture can be very similar to humans!

What Can Acupuncture Treat? Anesthesia during Surgery

Acupuncture anaesthesia, Shanghai, 1977 by Quarrion (David)

Using acupuncture in addition to or instead of anesthesia during surgery is an idea that is nearly unthinkable here in the west. That being said, electroacupuncture is often used in China as surgical anesthesia, as the stimulation is often stronger and easy to adjust the strength of the current. The points that are used are often specific to whatever surgery is being done.

Patients who use this method instead of going under general anesthesia often have an easier recovery, which means less nausea and vomiting, no lack of lucidity, and much less drowsiness. It's important that the patient be familiar with acupuncture, and also aware of any possible problems, as they will be awake during the surgery. I think the drug-free method of surgical procedures is a great idea, and a teacher of mine at OCOM took part in an acupuncture anesthesia a few years ago at OHSU.

Roger Lore, DAOM assisted with breast reconstruction surgery for a patient who had a mastectomy due to breast cancer. He describes the mood of the patient during the surgery as well has her quick recovery. He describes how the patient was lucid throughout the procedure, and that she was able to get off of the surgery table by herself after the procedure was finished. When the surgery took place at the Oregon Health Sciences University, acupuncture points were used on the arms, feet, scalp, and ears. The patient reported feeling some pain during the surgery, but refused any chemical anesthesia. She was very happy with the procedure, and felt much better than after surgeries where general anesthesia had been used.

You can read the article written by  Dr. Roger Lore online at www.scalpacupuncture.org (scroll down to #6). For another great article that goes into more detail about the use of acupuncture anesthesia in China, check out www.gancao.net.

NOTE: If you want to see a video of a Cesarean section performed while the patient is only under acupuncture anesthesia, check out this link (it's not in English, by the way). WARNING! It is a graphic video of a Cesarean birth - if you are at all queasy with blood, body fluids, or birth, then stop the video at 5:15. If not, it's pretty cool...

What Can Acupuncture Treat? Pre-surgical pain

Photo by daveleb

Before going into any surgical procedure, no matter if it's a wisdom tooth being pulled or an appendectomy,  a lot of people experience some level of anxiety or even pain. It's natural to feel that way, and acupucnture can be very helpful with helping to calm the emotions, reduce pain, and help with possible insomnia. Going under anesthetic can be very difficult on your body, even if it's a local procedure.

The neurological effects of acupuncture in helping to soothe "nerves" can be very useful to patients. If pain in a certain area is the reason for the surgery, there are many different methods practitioners can use where they don't have to touch the painful area. Be sure to tell your acupuncturist the when you are having the surgery, and they will be sure to make the treatment  you.

Traditional Chinese acupuncture and Acubalance (a style of acupuncture used by a local practitioner, Cole Magbanua, LAc), are both very effective methods of helping to manage pain. Japanese acupuncture is another method that is very gentle and would be good for pre-operative and post-operative pain, depending on the procedure.

Herbal formulas are another option to help with anxiety, insomnia, and even pain, but keep in mind that it's very important to check with your doctor or surgeon about medications and herbs before heading into an operation. A lot of doctors are willing to give referrals for acupuncturists to patients if they ask about it. Especially in the Portland area :)

What can Acupuncture Treat? Fertility Treatment Video

I found this video on the Lorne Brown's clinic blog for the Acubalance Wellness Center in Vancouver, British Columbia. It's a very informative video that discusses fertility assistance, and the doctor on the show, Dr. Dao, gives some interesting information in regards to health before becoming pregnant. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfVY4Z7cA0M&eurl=http://www.acubalance.ca/content/tao-fertility-today-show[/youtube]

The Acubalance site and blog have a lot of great information in regards to fertility, and and I recommend exploring the rest of www.acubalance.ca.

The book recommended in the video is called the Dao of Fertility. You can read more about Dr. Dao and his book at his site: www.taoofwellness.com. He has a practice in California, and is business partner is the author of the book Secrets of Self-Healing. Enjoy!